LED Downlights Installation Guidelines

Installing LED downlights is easy and affordable! If you want to install recessed lighting in your home, all it takes are some tools. First, find an area on the ceiling where you would like to place one of these lights, then cut out a hole big enough for both power connection and bracket installation. After that, use simple hand movements to connect everything into place.

Light position

1. Use of stud finder

First of all, use the stud finder and hold it flat before the ceiling. Then, slowly move the stud finder along the top until the device provides a beep or light indication. Mark the position where it gives a beep and mark it with a pencil.

Try to knock on the ceiling and hear a hollow sound. If you hear an open sound, then there is no joust behind the ceiling. If the sound is solid, then there is a joist behind it.

2. Try to check the ceiling and make sure it is clear

Hold the detector against the ceiling and choose the spot where you want to place the downlight. Then, move the sensor to the front and back and check if you get a beep. Mark the location where a pipe or wire is coming your way. If the ceiling is clear, then there is no issue with light installation.

3. Mark the locations where you want to install the downlights

Choose the spot between the joists present on the ceiling and draw a mark. Do not choose the area where pipes and wires are overlapping. Instead, leave 3 to 4 inches of space from the marked place so that you can install the downlight on your ceiling.

4. Additional lights

If you want to install multiple downlights in your given space, mark out the spots using a stud finder across the ceiling. Keep a distance of 4-5 feet from one another as per requirement.

Cutting holes

1. Choose a downlight that is compatible with your ceiling

The downlights are generally cylindrical and are recessed from the ceiling; depending on the age of your residence, select a downlight with 35W, which is bright enough.

2. Measure the rear diameter to know the size of the cutout

Install the lights so that the bulb remains on the bottom and other parts on top of the ceiling. Use a tape to measure the diameter of the light to know the installation cut.

3. Use the help of a drill to prepare a cut-out.

The hole saw comes with a ring-shaped blade that comes connected to the end of the blade. Choose carbide or diamond grits to make the cleanest hole. Rotate the chuck to attach the bit and turn it clockwise to tighten the saw and anti-clockwise to loosen it.

4. Cut through the ceiling

Perpendicular to the ceiling, hold the saw and the middle bit to adjust to the mark when you want to drill. Then, pull the trigger to start the drill and apply tremendous pressure to make a precise hole in the ceiling.

5. Remove the ceiling piece

Pull the saw straight out from the ceiling and turn off the drill. Place the end of the screwdriver and the piece of the ceiling which is stuck on the ceiling. Pull the piece out of the hole.

Installing downlights

1. Turn off the power

Find the electricity box of your house. Locate the breakers that control the part of the room where you want to put the recessed downlights.

Cut the power and test the wires with a wire tester to ensure that the voltage is not running.

2. Put wires to ensure the installation

One can either attach the lights with existing switches or add a new one. Use a 14/2 cable through the wall using wire tape so that the line holds up. The 14/2 wire contains a single hot, neutral, and ground wire.

3. Strip the wire ends

Open the wire stripped and clamp the ½ inch of the 14/2 cable. Pull the stripper to the end of the wire and remove the insulation.

Repeat the process

4. Interlace the matching wires

Hold the two ends of the black wire and use the pliers to twist both ends.

Twist the wire cap clockwise for the connection and to cover the exposed ends of the wires.

Repeat the process with uninsulated and white wires.

5. Hold the spring clips of the downlight

The base of the LED downlights comes with spring-loaded metal clips. These clips snap open when they are released.

Grab the spring clips from under and push them up. Keep holding the clips until you have finished installing the lights.

6. Push the light into the hole

Make sure all the wire part goes inside the hole before the light element. Then, continue to push the light fixture into the hole by holding the clips tightly.

Gently push the bottom of the light and hear a click sound. Then, slowly lower back down the light fixture to ensure that the clips support. Make sure that the clips help the fixture installation.